Including moments musicaux, impromptus and the wanderer fantasy, this second schubert cycle comes in a 7cd boxed set, displaying brendel s impressions. Alfred brendels elegant essay on the late sonatas of schubert nyr, february 2 contains many insights, but in one respect he is off the mark. Schuberts last sonatas from the february 2, 1989 issue to the editors. A few small differences in timing confirm that it really is a new recording in fact the third of brendels new schubert cycle for philips, the others being the sonatas in d major, d850 and a minor d784 on 422 0632ph, 1188, and the sonata in c minor, d958 on d 422 0762ph, 489 made in west germany in september 1987. A reissue of alfred brendels digital recordings of schuberts major piano works recorded 198788.
But his thoughtfulness and eloquence, and brendels wonderfully sentient playing, bring their own rich rewards. Brendel, literary and pianistic master of the musical absurd, would, i hope, approve. List of books and articles about franz schubert online. See the article in its original context from january 22, 1973, page 21.
Schubert s a minor sonata d845 from 1953 was previously issued in philips great pianists of the century vol. Brendel brings requisite lightness and grace to the german dances and devises his own, effective ordering. Towards the end of this collection of alfred brendels essays, an interviewer asks. Brendel performs 3 works for piano in carnegie series the. Jul 20, 2009 brendel plays schubert piano sonata in a minor op. Other than the schumann symphonies, it was the only symphony cycle this tremendous decca artist made for the label.
Sep, 2005 in a rare interview from may 2004, fred child talks with pianist alfred brendel on the eve of the musicians u. Alfred brendel is a pianist and the author of several books of essays and poetry, most recently music, sense and nonsense. Schuberts impromptus opus 90 and opus 142 rate with the finest, most tuneful of his composition. A pianists az ebook by alfred brendel rakuten kobo. He will give his last recital in december at viennas musikverein, in the city where he came to prominence over half a century ago. Everthing that schubert wrote, whether explicitly so or not is a song and these 8 impromptus are among the best.
The eloquence and subtle artistry that have brought mr. Buy 1, get 50% off hardcover new releases from 20% off books for personal growth. Jan 01, 2004 listen to your favorite songs from schubert. His symphonic works represent the best legacy of the classical tradition, while his songs exemplify the height of romantic lyricism. Alfred brendel schubert six moments musicaux, d 780. Brendel performs 3 works for piano in carnegie series. Complete your schubert alfred brendel, members of the cleveland quartet, james van demark collection. Brendel chose kempffs 1953 decca recording of schuberts a minor sonata, d. Retired at eightyfive, and still a mire of complexities.
Of his multiple recordings of schuberts opus posthumous bflat major sonata, this, his final statement of public life, a piece for which he was a champion, stands as. Although he argues generally for scrupulous fidelity to schuberts compositional intentions, where they can be known, he seems. Recorded in vienna for vox in 1967, these performances of both groups of impromptus, the four great d. Schuberts a minor sonata d845 from 1953 was previously issued in philips great pianists of the century vol. His account of schuberts mystical late sonata in b flat was particularly transfixing. Austrian pianist, poet and artist performs a beautiful rendition of schuberts impromptu no. Jan 22, 1973 brendel performs 3 works for piano in carnegie series. Brendel his greatest acclaim in the last two seasons is now being harnessed. A reissue of alfred brendel s digital recordings of schubert s major piano works recorded 198788. Hungerfords nearcomplete beethoven cycle for vanguard is a model of intelligent, insightful, and tasteful virtuosity. Piano works 18221828 by alfred brendel on amazon music. Brendels technical ability and mastery of pianism is on rich display.
Oct 27, 2016 alfred brendel is a pianist and the author of several books of essays and poetry, most recently music, sense and nonsense. The definitive collection of alfred brendel s writings combines his two classic books, musical thoughts and afterthoughts and music sounded out and also includes new, previously unpublished essays. The complete vox, turnabout and vanguard solo recordings alfred brendel retires this year from public performance. Franz schubert has 724 books on goodreads with 360 ratings. A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. The pianist alfred brendel kbe born 5 january 1931 was a recording artist for more than half a century, from his first record of prokofievs piano concerto no. Ever since alfred brendel bid farewell to the concert stage after six decades of performing, he has been passing on his insight and experience in the form of lectures, readings and masterclasses. The third release to mark alfred brendel s 80th birthday, is a stunning reissue of alfred brendel s digital recordings of schubert s major piano works recorded between 198788. The heart of the book lies in the 1820s, among beethovens and schuberts late. Jun 02, 2011 brendel, literary and pianistic master of the musical absurd, would, i hope, approve. The live recording of d784 predates brendels 1987 studio version, but direct.
The b flat sonata was recorded three years earlier and has never previously been published on cd. Brendel chose kempffs 1953 decca recording of schubert s a minor sonata, d. Whether discussing bach, mozart, beethoven, schubert, liszt, schoenberg. Brendel is on top form throughout this sonata, revelling both in its lyricism and the directness of its uncomplicated musical message, hitting us with schuberts searching melodies and harmonic brilliance where the music demands, singing, dancing having the occasional joke its as if schubert himself is standing at brendels shoulder. Much of the scrupulously wrought character that is alfred brendel rests on his often discussed by himself especially autodidacticism. Is schubert, among great composers, the most immediately moving. Alfred brendels most popular book is a pianists az. He was the first pianist ever to record the complete solo piano works of beethoven. Given alfred brendels credentials as a schubert interpreter, it is almost surprising that he waited as late as 1977 to commit his first trout quintet to disc, with members of the cleveland quartet and double bassist james van demark. Alfred brendel plays schubert alfred brendel allmusic. Between 1976 and 1978, zubin mehta and the israel philharmonic orchestra made recordings of the complete schubert symphonies for decca, as well as some of the incidental music for rosamunde. But a critically acclaimed new biography by a university at buffalo schubert scholar presents a far more balanced and. Evgeny kissin schubert wander fantasy in c major, d 760 duration. Karl munchinger leads a fresh, vital performance from the bracing overture onwards.
Buy 1, get 1 50% off in memoriam mary higgins clark 30% off hardcover bestsellers puzzle books. He recorded extensively, often returning to key works a number of times. Brendel is simply wonderful, better than any interpreter i know of schubert and for that matter many others. Books by franz schubert author of complete song cycles. Alfred brendel one of the great interpreters of the core austrogerman repertoire, with mozart, beethoven, schubert, schumann and liszt at its centre, brendels career ran from 1948 to 2008 when he retired from concertgiving. The b minor entracte, recently claimed to be the unfinished symphonys missing finale, sounds fittingly dramatic in this context.
Schuberts last sonatas from the february 2, 1989 issue. Published by faber and faber 20021998, london, 2002. He has also recorded works by mozart, liszt, brahms, schumann and schubert brendel recorded extensively for the vox label, providing them his first of three sets of the. Brendels renown contrasts with the late bruce hungerfords presentday, undeserved obscurity. Brendel has been called the thinker at the piano, the man who does not. The complete impromptusmoments musicaux by alfred brendel now. Alfred brendel made his first recording at the age of 21 and has since recorded a wide range of piano repertoire. While his pictures at the exhibition was breathtaking and his beethoven sonatas were aweinspiring, it was his schubert that let listeners know brendel had a heart. Brendel has recently retired and one of his last releases was an 8disc set of recordings with 4 discs devoted to schubert. Alfred brendel has 26 books on goodreads with 1094 ratings.
Brendel was one of the most important schubert interpreters of the last half of the twentieth century, and while this set is still in print, it shows us brendel at his best in an affordable, comprehensive and space saving package. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through. The best of alfred brendel on youtube music the guardian. This reader for lovers of the piano distils his musical and linguistic eloquence and. Schubert alfred brendel, members of the cleveland quartet. Although he argues generally for scrupulous fidelity to schuberts compositional intentions, where they can be known, he seems somewhat. Brendel gives schubert a lean and concentrated forcefulness, even at times a quirkiness that is perfectly suited to the music. Evgeny kissin schubert wander fantasy in c major, d 760.
Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Wilhelm kempff ii along with kempffs equally famous decca liszt recordings thanks to choices made by alfred brendel great pianists 56, but this is the first appearance on cd of the great bb sonata d960, recorded in 1950. A new antibiography of composer franz schubert undoes. Even at the peak of his early supervirtuoso period, austrian pianist alfred brendel had a soft spot for schubert. If your not used to them, they will grow on you but i dont think getting used to them will be a problem. The definitive collection of alfred brendels writings combines his two classic books, musical thoughts and afterthoughts and music sounded out and also includes new, previously unpublished essays. The life and character of composer franz schubert have been variously sketched in treacle and brimstone by biographers. Pianist alfred brendel leads a musical campaign for schubert. Impatience was not a vice the great pianist at 85, looking back on playing, writing, living, loving and wondering how he managed to fit so much in. Franz schuberts most popular book is complete song cycles.
Alfred brendels great book, musical thoughts and afterthoughts. In a rare interview from may 2004, fred child talks with pianist alfred brendel on the eve of the musicians u. This reader for lovers of the piano distils his musical and linguistic eloquence and vast knowledge, and will prove invaluable to anyone with an. Bargain hunters already will have snapped up the philips duo set of brendels recordings of the final triptych of schubert piano sonatasd. He had formal music lessons until he was about sixteen, culminating in his first public recital at seventeen, on which he performed a composition of his own, a sonata with, he frequently boasts, a double fugue arguably the most technically challenging. If youve never heard schuberts complete rosamunde music, this is a great place to start. To the editors alfred brendels elegant essay on the late sonatas of schubert nyr, february 2 contains many insights, but in one respect he is off the mark. Since the 1950s, brendel has been one of the most prolific recording artists in the world.
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